WEST POINT — The greatest goal scorer in Army lacrosse history will give a farewell performance Friday night at Michie Stadium.

Garrett Thul broke the Academy's 35-year-old career goal-scoring record nearly two months ago, and his 161 tallies rank second among all active players and in Patriot League history — Colgate's Peter Baum has 163 headed into his final game on Saturday at Maryland. Thul is tied for 23rd all-time in Division I, and a single goal on Friday against Johns Hopkins would leave him in the top 20.

Thul has been Mr. Consistent throughout his Army career, scoring 41, 42, 39 and 39 goals in his four seasons. He scored a goal in 42 consecutive games from April 3, 2010, through Feb. 16, 2013, before getting blanked at Syracuse on Feb. 24 — Thul sandwiched career-best seven-goal efforts against VMI and Michigan around the loss to the Orange.

"It's really remarkable,'' said Army coach Joe Alberici. "When the object of the game is to score more than your opponent, and you have one man who has done it as good as any in the history of your game, then you have yourself a real special player.''

Thul said he is humbled by his scoring records, considering the rich history of Army lacrosse over 96 years. He had an opportunity to meet with Scott Finlay (1973-78), the former career goals leader at West Point, over the winter. The two compared notes for nearly four hours, talking about what it was like to be an Army lacrosse player and a soldier.

"It was incredible to hear his stories,'' Thul said. "He was the same person that I am today, just 30 years before me. He said if someone was going to break the record, he's OK that it's someone like me. It is one of those experiences that I won't forget.''

Thul agreed to an eight-year military commitment so he could secure his spot in the infantry, something he has wanted to do since he was a child.

"Most of the training is infantry type of stuff,'' Thul said. "Rucking, going through the woods and getting dirty and muddy and all that kind of stuff — that is where I kind of thrive, in a real physical atmosphere.''

Physical is a good way to describe Thul's lacrosse play. At 230 pounds, the attackman is hard to knock off balance, certainly a product of playing football in high school. His mobility and a very hard, accurate shot makes Thul a major chore to defend.

"His athleticism certainly plays a huge role in what he's doing ... you can't discount that,'' Alberici said. "The fact he shoots the ball at a velocity that only a few in our game can do is certainly another factor. Garrett has a drive to score goals, and he has a nose and toughness for the cage. That's what's made him one of the best to do it in our game's history.''

Thul said it was "incredible" to be chosen in the third round of the Major League Lacrosse draft by the Hamilton Outlaws. He is hopeful of spending some time this summer realizing his dream of playing professionally.

"I didn't come in here thinking that I was going to be playing professional lacrosse,'' Thul said. "It is one of those things that kind of came up, and I am just running with it.''